Parton began performing as a child, singing on local radio and television in East Tennessee. At age 12 she was appearing on Knoxville TV, and at 13, she was recording on a small label and appearing at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. When she graduated from high school in 1964 she moved to Nashville, taking many traditional elements of folklore and popular music from East Tennessee with her.
Parton's initial success came as a songwriter, with her songs being covered by Kitty Wells, Hank Williams, Jr., Skeeter Davis, and a number of others. She signed with Monument Records in late 1965, where she was initially pitched as a bubblegum pop singer, earning only one national chart single, "Happy, Happy Birthday Baby," which did not crack the Billboard Top 100. Additional pop singles also failed to chart.
The label agreed to have Parton sing country music after her composition "Put It Off Until Tomorrow" as recorded by Bill Phillips (and with Parton, uncredited, on harmony) went to No. 6 on the country charts in 1966. Her first country single, "Dumb Blonde" (one of the few songs during this era that she recorded but didn't write), reached No. 24 country 1967, followed later the same year with "Something Fishy," which went to No. 17. The two songs anchored her first full-length album, Hello I'm Dolly, that same year.
In 1967, Parton was asked to join the weekly syndicated country music TV program hosted by Porter Wagoner, replacing Norma Jean. She also signed with RCA Records, Wagoner's label, during this period, where she would remain for the next two decades. Wagoner and Parton immediately began a hugely successful career as a vocal duet in addition to their solo work and their first single together, a cover of Tom Paxton's "The Last Thing on My Mind," reached the top ten on the U.S. country charts in late 1967, and was the first of over a dozen duet singles to chart for them during the next several years.
Parton is a hugely successful songwriter, having begun by writing country songs with strong elements of folk music in them based upon her upbringing in humble mountain surroundings. Her songs "Coat of Many Colors" and "Jolene" have become classics in the field, as have a number of others. As a composer, she is also regarded as one of country music's most gifted storytellers, with many of her narrative songs based on persons and events from her childhood.
In 1982 Dolly Parton sang her song "I Will Always Love You", for the movie "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas", starring Parton and Burt Reynolds. The song - originally composed around 1974 - made few ripples, but it wasn't until Whitney Houston re-recorded it for "The Bodyguard" a decade later, that the song made yet another international hit for Dolly Parton. She later put out her own version on the 1996 album of the same name.
In 1987, Parton left her longtime label, RCA, and signed with Columbia Records, where her recording career continued to prosper, but by the mid 1990s, Parton, along with many other performers of her generation, found that her new music was not welcome on country radio playlists. She recorded a series of critically acclaimed bluegrass albums, beginning with "The Grass is Blue" (1999) and "Little Sparrow" (2001), both of which won Grammy Awards. Her 2002 album "Halos and Horns" included a bluegrass version of the Led Zeppelin classic Stairway to Heaven. In 2005, Parton released Those Were The Days, her interpretation of hits from the folk-rock era of the late 1960s through early 1970s. The CD featured such classics as John Lennon's "Imagine," Cat Stevens' "Where Do The Children Play," Tommy James' "Crimson & Clover," and the folk classic "Where Have All The Flowers Gone", as well as the title track.
In 2007, Dolly paved new musical ground by forming her own record label, Dolly Records. The label's first release - Backwoods Barbie - debuted at #2 on the Billboard country albums charts and marks Parton's first mainstream country album in 17 years. Parton is touring North America and Europe throughout 2008 in support of her latest release.
1955
Smoky Mountain Memories
Dolly Parton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cause the air is filled with gold dust
And fortune falls like snow flakes in your hands
Now I don't recall who said it
But we'd lived so long on credit
And so we headed out to find our promised land
Just poor Smoky Mountains farm folk
So we hitched our station wagon to a star
But our dreams all fell in on us
Cause there was no land of promise
Though it's a stuggle just keepin' sight of who you are
Oh and these northern nights are dreary
And my southern heart is weary
As I wonder how the old folks are back home
But I know that they all love me
And they're all thinking of me
The Smoky Mountains memories keep me strong
You know I've been thinkin' a whole lot lately
About what's been and what awaits me
It takes all I've got to give what life demands
You go insane if you give in to it
Life's a mill and I've been through it
I'm just thankful I'm creative with my hands
Oh and these northern nights they're dreary
And my southern eyes are teary
As I wonder how the old folks are back home
But I'll keep leanin' on my Jesus
He'll love and guide and lead us
The Smoky Mountains memories keep me strong
If I'll keep looking to the father
Keep our heads above the water
While the Smoky Mountains memories keep me strong
The song "Smoky Mountain Memories" by Dolly Parton is a poignant reflection on the pain of leaving home in the pursuit of a better life, and the struggle to maintain a sense of self in the face of adversity. The opening verse introduces us to the singer who is urged by somebody to go North, where fortune is said to fall like snowflakes in your hands. The lyrics reveal that the couple had been living on credit and had hoped to find their promised land in the North. The couple embarked on their journey with high hopes, but their dreams fell apart as they were unable to find the land of promise.
The singer reflects on the dreary nights in the North and talks about the weariness of her southern heart. She misses her family back home in the Smoky Mountains and wonders how they are doing. Although she is far from home, she knows that her family loves her and is thinking of her. The Smoky Mountains memories keep her strong and give her the resilience she needs to face the challenges of her new life.
The second verse reveals the singer's struggles in life and the challenges that she has to face. She talks about how life can drive one insane if they give in to it, but she is grateful that she is creative with her hands. Again, she reflects on her thoughts about the Smoky Mountains memories that keep her strong. The song ends with the singer leaning on her faith and looking to the father for guidance and strength.
Line by Line Meaning
You ought to go north somebody told us
Someone suggested that we go north
Cause the air is filled with gold dust
The air is filled with opportunity, wealth, and success
And fortune falls like snow flakes in your hands
Opportunities to become prosperous come with ease and abundance
Now I don't recall who said it
I don't remember who told us this
But we'd lived so long on credit
We've been living on borrowed money for a long time
And so we headed out to find our promised land
We left in search of a better life, with high expectations
Just poor Smoky Mountains farm folk
We are simple people, from humble backgrounds near the Smoky Mountains
With nothing more than high hopes
We hold onto our aspirations, and nothing else
So we hitched our station wagon to a star
We took a daring chance, taking our family vehicle straight towards our dreams
But our dreams all fell in on us
Our hopes and aspirations didn't materialize, leaving us disappointed
Cause there was no land of promise
The place we were looking for that seemed perfect for us didn't exist
Though it's a stuggle just keepin' sight of who you are
It is difficult to maintain our sense of identity, purpose, and dignity in such circumstances
Oh and these northern nights are dreary
These nights in the north are gloomy and depressing
And my southern heart is weary
My heart, raised in the south, is tired and disheartened
As I wonder how the old folks are back home
I am concerned about my loved ones back home
But I know that they all love me
I am sure that my family and friends back home love me
And they're all thinking of me
They are all keeping me in their thoughts
The Smoky Mountains memories keep me strong
I draw strength and inspiration from the happy memories of my past in the Smoky Mountains
You know I've been thinkin' a whole lot lately
I have been contemplating recent events and circumstances for some time now
About what's been and what awaits me
I am considering both my past and my future
It takes all I've got to give what life demands
I am doing my best to deal with the challenges and responsibilities of life
You go insane if you give in to it
If you allow life's difficulties to overwhelm you, you will go crazy
Life's a mill and I've been through it
Life is a difficult and constant struggle, but I've been through it all
I'm just thankful I'm creative with my hands
I am grateful for my ability to work creatively with my hands, which keeps me going
Oh and these northern nights they're dreary
Even though these northern nights are dull and somber
And my southern eyes are teary
I feel emotional and teary due to being away from my southern roots
As I wonder how the old folks are back home
I am concerned and curious about the well-being of my loved ones back home
But I'll keep leanin' on my Jesus
I will rely on Jesus for support and guidance
He'll love and guide and lead us
He will show us love, provide us with wisdom and direction
The Smoky Mountains memories keep me strong
The memories of my happy past in the Smoky Mountains continue to provide me with resilience and inspiration
If I'll keep looking to the father
If I keep turning to God for guidance and support
Keep our heads above the water
I can keep myself afloat during rough times
While the Smoky Mountains memories keep me strong
As my memories of the happy past keep me strong
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DOLLY PARTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
fear the reaper
You oughta go north somebody told us
'Cause the air is filled with gold dust
And fortune falls like snow flakes in your hands
Now I don't recall who said it
But we spended our lives on credit
so we just headed out to find our promised land
Just poor smoky mountain farm folk
With nothing more than high hopes
So We hitched out station wagon to a star
But our dreams all fell in on us
'Cause there was no land of promise
And it's a stuggle keepin' sight of who you are
Oh and these northern nights are dreary
And my southern heart is weary
As I wonder how the old folks are back home
But I know they all love me and i know they thinking of me
Smoky mountain memories keep me strong
Ya know I've been thinkin' just a whole a lot lately
About what's been and what awaits me
It takes all I've got to give what life demands
Oh You go insane if you give in to it
Life's a mill and rather I've been through it
I'm just so thankful I'm creative with my plans
Oh and these northern nights there dreary
And my southern eyes are teary
Don't I wonder how the old folks are back home
But I'll keep leanin' on my Jesus
To love and guide and lead us
Smoky mountain memories keep me strong
I'll keep lookin' to the Father
He ill Keep my head above the water
While the smoky mooooooooountain memories keep me strong....💓
dollyaddict
Dolly has written & published over 3000 songs this was my 1st video and my longest loved song of dolly's so happy to be able to be the one to share her beautiful music with you
Chizoba Uchay
Thank you
Poetic Justice
This one hit me hard. Probably her best song, and one of the best songs ever written, and performed with such heart and grace. Dolly is second to no-one, no matter which genre or style.
mockingjay mendoza
the message of this song is so powerful it really breaks me down it reminds me of the journey that ive been through the years and the achievements that i have achieved...music is really a powerful thing that could change our lives i thank god for making me realize that i am worthy to be his masterpiece.......
Lacie O.
I can really relate to this song. I live in the Smokies. She truly sings about what its like and i wouldn't settle for less then the good ol Smokies. Thanks for sharing this.
mockingjay mendoza
dolly partons songs is so inspiring to hear.....you know guys this song gives me reason to keep my journey from moving on, this is sucha best sheis such a legend.....
AnyaAnya Em
I Love Dolly Parton! She's amazing, so Iconic. I Love your videos, Dollyaddict. The songs are legit and the photos are always clear. I know if Dolly saw how much work you put into this, she would definitely Love you!
Marsha Hannah
this should be one of her greatest hits ever
Whiteelk
My mother is from macon, GA and she use to sing in a local country band. I grew up on her singing Dolly so this reminds me of her every time I hear it.
Marc Hill
Quite possibly my all time fav dolly song (thou ive prob said this before! :$) I was watching carly simon recently and there is no doubt her voice is uncomparable to its former glory (see Let the waters flow) but in sharp contrast Dolly just gets better with age, she is possibly at her zenith right now, bring on the betterday tour!!!!